Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

Here at Troy Animal Hospital, we like to keep track of all of the unofficial pet holidays. There’s definitely a big one coming up. February 23rd is Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day! We probably don’t have to tell you that our canine companions are very, very fond of treats. This isn’t a bad thing. Treats actually make great training aids, and they are a great way to bond with your pet and make him feel loved. However, there are some things to keep in mind here. A Tipp City, OH vet discusses Fido’s doggy treats in this article.

You can find dozens—if not hundreds—of brands of dog treats. Your four-legged friend would be more than happy to sample all of them. However, that probably isn’t a feasible option, so it’s up to you to pick for him. Get into the habit of reading labels, and try to choose foods that list meat, fish, or poultry first and most often.

Dogs have been our companions for thousands of years. Fido has certainly had plenty of time to work on that cute expression that is so effective at melting our hearts. Don’t let your theatrical pet convince you to spoil him. As a rule of thumb, you should keep treats to about 5 percent of your canine pal’s daily intake. It’s also not a bad idea to have your pup do a simple trick for his snack. This is a great way to reinforce his training!

If you like cooking, you may want to make your furry friend’s snacks. You’ll find many different recipes online. Generally, these start with a base. Some options are plain yogurt, ripe bananas, pureed pumpkin, chopped liver, sodium-free broth, natural peanut butter, and/or olive oil. You can customize your dog’s treats to suit his tastes and/or specific needs by adding things like shredded meat, cheese, bacon bits, bacon grease, canned chicken, salmon, or safe fruits and veggies. Just stick to ingredients you know are safe.

Keep an eye out for recall alerts. You can monitor them at several websites, including the FDA site here or the AMVA site here . Another option is to set email alerts. As the saying says, better safe than sorry!

Please contact us, your Tipp City, OH vet clinic, for all of your dog’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!